2017 Gent–Wevelgem

The race started in Deinze in East Flanders,[5] 20 kilometres (12 mi) from Ghent. The route took the riders immediately into West Flanders, and after around 90 kilometres (56 mi) of flat roads, they came near the coast at Veurne. After turning inland again, the race continued south towards the French border, and just after halfway, crossed onto French soil at the commune of Boeschepe, with the first of the race's ten climbs coming at the Mont des Cats. This was followed by the Kokereelberg, the Vert Mont, and the two Mont Noir ascents, via the Côte du Ravel Put and the Côte de la Blanchisserie. The riders then returned to Belgium and climbed the Baneberg, the Kemmelberg and the Monteberg.

There was then a flatter section, looping through Mesen, Ploegsteert and Nieuwkerke. Within this loop was an addition for the 2017 race. On 24 November 2016, it was announced that the 2017 Gent–Wevelgem would honour the victims of World War I in the Flanders region and to commemorate the Christmas truce, by incorporating three semi-paved roads at the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing,[6] in Ploegsteert Wood. The final two climbs were a repeat of the Baneberg–Kemmelberg combination; at the top of the final climb, 34 kilometres (21 mi) of fairly flat roads remained to the finish in Wevelgem.

As Gent–Wevelgem was a UCI World Tour event, all eighteen UCI WorldTeams were invited automatically and obliged to enter a team in the race. Seven UCI Professional Continental teams competed, completing the 25-team peloton.[7] Race number 192 was unused as a mark of respect to Antoine Demoitié, who wore the number for Wanty–Groupe Gobert before his death at the 2016 edition of the race.[8]

• Official website